I’m scrolling through social media and I find myself repeating one phrase, “Look what she did!” I say this as I see women doing good things—leading, creating, connecting, accomplishing, achieving dreams. It doesn’t take long until another phrase follows, “I should be doing that too!” I slip into comparison like a too-tight pair of jeans, one that squeezes in all the wrong places. I feel the pinch of inadequacy, the tug of guilt, the familiar sensation that I am not enough. I don’t feel good in this state of mind. It doesn’t fit me. It doesn’t bring out the best in who God created me to be. But ..read more

I recently wrote this in my journal as a reminder to my heart, I hope it’s helpful for yours too! God has more ahead for you. You are not finished yet. What you saw as a delay or detour was really preparation for what’s ahead. Sometimes the seasons that feel like brokenness become divine bridges to what’s next. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is without worth. You have not “lost” time; you have not fallen behind. You don’t need to hurry to catch up. You don’t need to push yourself harder to make up for what you think you missed. Some seasons still may not make much sense to you. Why did it happen ..read more

On an ordinary afternoon I curled up on my red couch, my phone tucked between my ear and shoulder. I nodded as I listened to my friend far away share about a challenge in her life. At some point she said, “I guess this is who I am now. I am the girl who struggles with this thing.” I sat up straight, grabbed my phone so I could speak as loudly and directly into it as I could and the nodding ceased. I said, “No, that is not who you are now. That is not who you are ever. This is your current circumstance. It is what you are fighting. It is not and will never be your identity.” Long after our call ..read more

Exciting news before today’s post!  Are you a writer? I’m teaming up with Suzanne (Suzie) Eller to create a Write for Life Mastermind. It includes coaching, accountability, an exclusive curriculum, and more!We have spots for ONLY 10 writers. Find out more and apply before we’re full! Write for Life Mastermind —— The laundry is still unfolded, the emails unanswered, the to-do list undone. I sigh and ask, “Have I been productive at all today?” Anxiety and accusations are the only response. So I pray, “God, what lie am I believing? And what’s the truth that replaces it?” This is a new habit ..read more

In his mid-fifties, my Poppi opened the first Christian bookstore in his area. He sold his share of an auto-paint business to do so, trading stability for the unknown rather than retiring. He showed up at that bookstore almost every day for decades and finally sold it at age eighty-five. I wasn’t even born when the bookstore began, so he couldn’t have known the impact his “yes” to God would have on me. He couldn’t yet see me curled up in the back room with a stack of books, a little girl with a big imagination. He didn’t know one day I would be writing those books instead of just reading them ..read more

Something fun before today’s post: A Valentine’s Day Giveaway! I’ve teamed up with 8 authors, counselors, and coaches for a fun Valentine’s Day giveaway! Here’s what you’ll be entered to win… A $200 Airbnb gift card A $50 Amazon gift card 9 encouraging books (you can see them all here) The giveaway will have one grand prize winner, and everyone who enters will also receive a free electronic gift by email from each of the 9 giveaway hosts! For example, I’ll be sending a code that will give you FREE access to my Introvert/Extrovert Marriage Masterclass for 7 days plus the PDF workbook tha ..read more

Do you feel weighed down today? Maybe worries, cares, items on your to-do list, and expectations feel heavy, like rocks in your backpack that make your shoulders and soul ache. Pause for a moment and ask, “What have I picked up that Jesus never asked me to carry?” He says that his burden is light, and what is not from him often sounds like this: I should… I need to… I have to… What do all of these have in common? The belief that you must do certain things to be loved and accepted. But here is your eternal reality: There will never be a moment in your life when you are not fully loved. You are ..read more

No one gets it right the first time. Few people get it right the hundredth. And if what you’re working on is a matter of the heart (like healing or overcoming a struggle) then it might feel more like the millionth. No baby stands up and runs a marathon. No inventor launches their idea the day they come up with it. No author types an entire book without using the delete key. No marriage or friendship or collaboration works without someone saying, “Oops, I’m sorry.” We live in a world where we so often only see the final product. The flawless Instagram photo. The perfect gift landing on our door ..read more

It’s okay if life feels small sometimes, if it is filled with little things—dishes, laundry, reports, mugs of coffee, commutes, quick conversations, making the bed (or not). Jesus didn’t say, “Well done, good and famous servant.” He said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” The more time I spend on this earth, the more it seems faithfulness happens when no one is looking, when nothing is being measured, in the moments that don’t seem to matter much at all. Confession: Sometimes I wish God cared more about size. That I could impress him by doing something big. I could prove my worth in the ..read more

Happy almost New Year to you! I realized recently that I’ve been writing in this space for fifteen years now. Wow. Thank you for being here! I’m so glad you’re joining me for another year! Here’s a pic of Mark and I with Eula and Clem just for fun (if you don’t know our family story, you can read a little bit of it here)… —– Quick note so you don’t miss out: Is writing one of your goals for 2024? My online writing course is on sale for only a few more days! —– And now today’s post: If life is busy or challenging as you’re starting 2024, then big dreams or New Year’s resolutions may feel over ..read more